Vodacom Redesigns M-pesa For The South African Market

First launched in Kenya in 2007, m-pesa is now used by more than 18 million people across 13 countries to perform banking and money transfer services via mobile phone. Vodacom introduced m-pesa to South Africa in 2010 and while the initial take up was strong with more than one million people signing up, it hasn’t

Equity Bank Cleared to Launch MVNO Normal SIM Cards

The Communications Authority of Kenya has cleared Equity Bank to start operations of its mobile phone and cash transfer service before it resolves a petition filed by leading telecommunications provider Safaricom, which is was opposed to the bank using ultra-thin SIM cards. According to the Business Daily, the CAK maintains Equity will only be able

Airtel Wins Case Against Safaricom to Open Up M-Pesa

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) has ruled in favour of Airtel after the company accused its rival Safaricom of anti-competitive practice, a move coming weeks after Safaricom had decided to open up the network. The CAK has also prohibited the mobile operator from levying extra charges on competitors using its network. This brings to

Equity Bank Records 21% Growth In Profit

The bank’s regional expansion and diversification strategies have been successful and all the subsidiaries contributed positively to the performance. Profit before tax increased to Kshs.10.8 billion up from Ksh. 8.9 billion recorded for the same period last year. Profit after tax also increased by 21% to Kshs.7.6 billion. During the period under review, the Bank

Nairobi County Goes Mobile with Payments For Services

Nairobi residents will no longer have to contend with long queues when paying for services after the county government launched an e-payment platform to ease payments and streamline revenue collection. Among the services targeted are matatu seasonal ticketing, rent collection and market stalls. In his speech during the launch Governor Evans Kidero said the e-payment

Banks Roll Out Annual Percentage Rate Pricing With Launch of “Credit Calculator” Website and Mobile App

Commercial banks in Kenya will begin disclosing to loan applicants the components that make up the total cost of credit as a percentage known as the Annual Percentage Rate (APR). This follows the launch of the “Credit Calculator Online” website and mobile application that were developed by Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) in conjunction with the

Airtel Complaint Against M-Pesa Fees Rejected by Competition Authority

Leading Kenyan operator Safaricom will not have to cut fees on making M-Pesa transactions across networks after the Competition Authority declined to order a reduction as petitioned by rival Airtel. HumanIPO reported earlier this month the Competition Authority of Kenya was reviewing a case brought by Airtel, with the country’s second operator asking the authority

KCB Set to Roll Out Islamic Banking in Kenya Next Month

KCB Bank Group is set to formally roll out Islamic banking services in Kenya next month as it expands its product offering in the East African region. The KCB Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Joshua Oigara said the bank has now received the necessary approvals to enable the launch of Islamic banking in all 182

Ecobank Group Gets Nod to Open Investment Bank in Kenya

EBI Investment Corporation Kenya Limited, a subsidiary of Ecobank Capital has been granted an investment bank license by the Capital Markets Authority in Kenya. Ecobank Capital (registered as Ecobank Development Corporation) is the investment banking arm of the Ecobank Group, with operating offices currently in Abidjan, Accra, Lagos and Douala, including dealing membership of five

KBA Launches Web Portal, Mobile App for Transparency in Lending

The Kenya Bankers Association has launched its “Credit Calculator Online” website and mobile application informing loan applicants of the components that make up the total cost of credit as a percentage – known as the Annual Percentage Rate (APR). Both the site and the app were developed by the KBA in conjunction with the industry’s